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The media conglomerate has appointed former NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest initiative by recent acquirers to reshape workings of a prominent American news organisations.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is noted for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the agreement were not made public. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences.

His takeover of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of partiality and vowed to authorities that programming would include a variety of view points.

He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including visual material can be exchanged.

In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.